Access door lock system

ABSTRACT

An access door lock system for an automatic washing machine which includes a timer having an internal manually operated On-Off switch, a latch biased to normally engage with and lock the access door, and a latch actuating mechanism interconnecting the timer and the latch and preventing opening of the access door when the timer-associated switch is in the On condition. After the switch is moved to the Off condition, the latch actuating mechanism is operable to a position for disengaging the latch from the access door and allowing the access door to be opened.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an access door lock system and moreparticularly to an access door lock system for an automatic washingmachine to provide for locking the access door during periods of machineoperation.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art shows a continuing search for ways to prevent access tothe tube portion of an automatic washing machine during its cycle ofoperations and particularly during the extraction period of the cycle.

Norgaard, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,243,977, uses a solenoid which is operablefor blocking the door latch to prevent opening of the door wheneverelectrical power is applied to the machine.

Prosser et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,387,873, utilizes a timer cam to movea follower member into position to block movement of the door handle andthus prevent opening in the door during operation of the machine.

Haller, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,662, manually actuates the machine by aseparate member on the door which is operable only after the access dooris closed.

Baker et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,122 shows a mechanical linkage whichis movable by axially moving the timer shaft. This linkage operates tolock the lid of the machine. This system is also associated with the tubsuch that an unbalance situation will open a line switch within thetimer.

While several methods are shown for preventing access to the interior ofthe machine during a cycle of operations, the prior art does not show asystem which is dependent upon a combination of manual operations toopen the access door but which is fully automatic for locking the accessdoor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the instant invention to provide animproved access door lock system for an automatic washing machine.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide an accessdoor lock system which permits opening of the access door only when thetimer switch is in the Off condition and the latch actuator has beenmanually rotated into engagement with the latch.

Briefly, the instant invention achieves these objects in an access doorlock system for an apparatus having a cabinet with an access doormovable between an open and a closed position. A strike is mounted oneither of the cabinet or the access door and a latch is mounted on theother of the cabinet or access door with the latch being normallyengaged with the strike to lock the access door in the closed position.A latch actuator is provided which has a portion movable from adoor-locked first posture to a door-unlocked second posture fordisengaging the latch from the strike to permit opening of the accessdoor. A manually operable mechanism is provided for making and breakingan electrical circuit and includes a switch operable between anapparatus-deenergizing first condition and an apparatus-energizingsecond condition. A connecting lever interconnects the latch actuatorand the circuit making and breaking mechanism and is operable forblocking movement of the latch actuator from its door-locked firstposture when the switch is in the apparatus-energizing second condition.The access door can be opened only when the switch is in theapparatus-deenergizing first condition and the latch has been disengagedfrom the strike.

Operation of the system and further objects and advantages thereof willbecome evident as the description proceeds and from an examination ofthe accompanying three pages of drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention withsimilar numerals referring to similar parts throughout the several viewswherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an automatic washing machineshowing the cabinet top, access door, and control dials;

FIG. 2 is a view taken generally along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken generally along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken generally along lines 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the timer dial in the Offposition and the corresponding position of the connecting lever; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic electrical circuit showing operational and controlcomponents of the washing machine of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings there is shown in FIG. 1 a perspectiveview of an automatic wasing machine 10 including a cabinet 11 whichhouses a timer 12, as shown in FIG. 2, and supports a top cover 13having an access door or lid 14. The automatic washing machine 10further includes various mechanical components such as: drive motor,pump, transmission, tub and agitator. These members are well known tothose skilled in the art and are therefore not shown.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 there is shown a latch assembly 15including a generally right angled latch mounting bracket 16 which issecured to the underside of the top cover 13, as shown in FIG. 3, by apair of threaded fasteners 19 which extend through the substantiallyvertical wall 20 of the access opening 21 and are turned into threadedholes in the extruded dimples 22 of the generally vertical leg 23 of thelatch mounting bracket 16. The horizontal leg 24 of the latch mountingbracket 16 extends to the left in FIG. 3 directly subjacent the topcover 13 and has a "U" shaped channel member 25 secured to its bottom asshown in FIG. 4. The "U" of this channel member 25 opens downwardly asin FIGS. 3 and 4 and a pair of axially aligned holes are punched in theopposed sidewalls of the "U" for pivotally mounting a latch 26. Thegenerally vertical leg 23 of the latch mounting bracket 16 furtherincludes a rectangular opening 29 in its center which is juxtaposed toand generally aligned with a similar opening in the substantiallyvertical wall 20 of the access opening 21 for accommodating the latch26.

The latch 26 is molded of a thermoplastic material and is pivotallymounted between the sidewalls of the "U" shaped channel member 25 on apivot pin 30 which extends through the axially aligned holes and thelatch 26. As shown in FIG. 3, a bolt portion 31 of the latch 26 extendsthrough the rectangular opening 29 in the latch mounting bracket 16 andthe vertical wall 20 of the access opening 21 to engage with adepression or strike 32 in the edge of the access door 14. Extendingdownwardly in FIG. 3 is a depending arm portion 33 of the latch 26. Thisdepending arm portion 33 includes a flat surface 34, shown in FIG. 4,for engaging with a latch actuator 35. The depending arm portion 33 alsoincludes a tab 36 for securing one end of an extension spring 39 whichextends toward the lower portion of the generally vertical leg 23 of thelatch mounting bracket 16 and normally biases the bolt 31 of the latch26 toward the depression or strike 32 in the edge of the access door 14for locking the door 14 closed. The extent of the latch 26 movementtoward the access door 14 is limited by a round peg 40 which is moldedonto the side of the latch 26 and which contacts the generally verticalleg 23 of the latch mounting bracket 16 as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring generally now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 there are shown two controldials 41 and 42. The first and largest of these dials is the timer dial41 secured to the shaft 43 of the timer or sequential control means 12and which is manually rotatable to select a start point for a cycle ofoperations. The timer 12 includes an internal On-Off switch which, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 5, is actuated by a disc 44 attached to therearwardly extending portion of the timer shaft 43 and which isengageable with a plunger 45 of the rear of the timer 12 to close theinternal On-Off switch and begin a cycle of operations as the timer dial41 is pulled out away from the washing machine 10. The cycle ofoperations may be interrupted at any point by pushing the timer dial 41inward to release the plunger 45 and open the internal On-Off switch.

FIGS. 2 and 5 best show the latch actuator mounting plate 46. As viewedin either of FIG. 2 or 5, the main portion 49 of this mounting plate 46is generally horizontal and is secured to the inside of the cabinet 11directly behind the first and second control dials 41 and 42. Thismounting plate 46 has an upturned attachment ear 50 and 51 at each endadjacent the inside of the cabinet and each ear 50 or 51 is tapped forreceiving a threaded fastener 52 to secure the mounting plate 46 to thecabinet.

FIG. 4 is a section through the left end of the latch actuator mountingplate 46 and in particular shows an upwardly turned tab 53 which isgenerally aligned with and to the rear of the left attachment ear 50.This tab 52 has an aperture which is axially aligned with a similaraperture in the left attachment ear 50. These axially aligned aperturesrotatably mount the shaft 54 of a latch actuator 35 to the latchactuator mounting plate 46. The latch actuator shaft 54 is axiallyretained by a snap ring 55 as shown in FIG. 4.

The latch actuator 35, in the preferred embodiment, is molded of athermoplastic material and includes a first arm 56 extending to the leftas shown in phantom in FIG. 4. This first arm 56 includes a downwardlysloped end section or cam surface 59 for engaging with the flat surface34 of the latch 26 to move the latch 26 out of engagement with thedepression or strike 32 in the access door 14 as shown in the full lineportion of FIG. 4. Extending downwardly and to the right as best shownin phantom in FIG. 4 is a second arm portion 60. As FIGS. 2 through 5show, the second arm portion 60 includes a catch 61 and a lug 62. Thecatch 61 engages with the underside of the mounting plate 46 as shown inthe full line portion of FIG. 4 for maintaining the latch actuator 35 inthe full line position. The lug 62 engages with the top of the mountingplate 46 as shown in the full line position of FIG. 4 to limit theclockwise rotation of the latch actuator 35.

The latch actuator 35 is normally biased in the counterclockwisedirection toward the phantom line position by an extension spring 64which is hooked between the left end of the mounting plate 46 and anattachment ear 65 on the latch actuator 35. Counterclockwise rotation ofthe latch actuator 35 from the full line position to the phantom lineposition of FIG. 4 is limited by engagement of a wall section 63 of thelatch actuator 35 with the upturned tab 53 of the mounting plate 46 asshown in FIG. 4.

At the right end of the latch mounting plate 46 and at generally 90degrees to the attachment ear 51 there is located an upturned connectinglever mounting tab 66. As shown in FIG. 5, this tab 66 has a verticalslot 69 for receiving the narrowed end 70 of a connecting lever 71. Thisrectangularly shaped connecting lever 71 operatively joins the timershaft 43 and the latch actuator 35. The timer end 70 of the connectinglever 71 is vertically narrowed for passing through the vertical slot 69in the mounting tab 66. The narrowed portion 70 at the timer end is alsobifurcated so that it will engage with the timer shaft as shown in FIGS.2 and 5. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 a snap ring 72 is secured to thetimer shaft 43. This snap ring 72 engages with the narrowed bifurcatedend 70 of the connecting lever 71 so that when the timer dial 41 ispushed inward the connecting lever 71 will be pivoted to the position ofFIG. 5.

An extension spring 73 is stretched between the connecting levermounting tab 66 and the mid-section of the connecting lever 71 forbiasing the narrowed timer end 70 of the connecting lever 71 axiallytoward the connecting lever mounting tab 66 and timer shaft 43. Thelatch actuator end of the connecting lever 71 is concurrently biasedtransversely toward the latch actuator 35.

The latch actuator end of the connecting lever 71 is operable for twodifferent functions. First, when the latch actuator 35 is in theposition of FIG. 2, which corresponds to the phantom line position ofFIG. 4, and the On-Off switch is in the On condition, the end of theconnecting lever 71 engages with the abutment 74 of the latch actuator35 and prevents clockwise rotation of the latch actuator 35 to theaccess door unlocking full line position of FIG. 4. Secondly, when thelatch actuator 35 is in the full line position of FIG. 4 and the On-Offswitch is moved from the Off condition to the On condition by pullingthe timer dial 41 outward, the connecting lever 71 will be biased towardthe latch actuator 35 by the extension spring 73 and will contact thefront end of lug 62 of the latch actuator 35 which will deflect arm 60to disengage the catch 61 from the underside of the mounting plate 46and the latch actuator 35 will be rotated by the extension spring 64 outof engagement with latch 26 as in FIG. 2 which corresponds to thephantom lines in FIG. 4 for locking the door 14. When the latch actuator35 is in the latch engaged, door-unlocked full line position in FIG. 4,the timer 12 will be in the Off condition as shown in FIG. 5 and theconnecting lever 71 will be disconnected from the latch actuator 35.

There is shown in FIG. 6 an electrical schematic circuit. The circuit ofFIG. 6 includes a plurality of contact pairs operable between open andclosed positions by a set of cams under the control of a timing motor.The contact pairs function as switching means and are referred to astimer switches which open and close under control of the timer cams.

The circuit of FIG. 6 also includes the drive motor 75 comprising astart winding 76, a run winding 79, centrifugal switch 80 and fuse 81.Timer switches 82-85 as shown in FIG. 6 control functions of the drivemotor 75 but are not physically associated with the drive motor 75. Alsoshown diagrammatically in FIG. 6 is the water valve 86, a pressureswitch 89, an access door operated switch 90 and an On-Off switch 91located within the timer 12 to initiate operation such as may beoperated to the closed position by the operator axially moving the timerdial 41. The circuit may be connected to a conventional 110 volt, 60 Hz.power supply by the line conductors 92 and 93.

The normal washing cycle of operations of an automatic washing machine10 includes, in sequence, an initial liquid filling of the machine 10,agitation to effect washing of the fabrics; removal of the washingfluid; a refilling of the machine 10 with rinse water; agitation toeffect rinsing of the fabrics; and removal of the rinse water from themachine 10.

The "Regular" cycle of operations is selected by rotating the timer dial41 to the start position. With the selection of the "Regular" cycle ofoperations, timer switches 83, 84, 95, 96 and 99 will be closed. Uponthe operator closing the On-Off switch 91, as by axially moving thetimer dial 41 and assuming that the access door switch 90 has beenclosed by closing the lid or access door 14, the machine 10 will beenergized for initiating the "Regular" cycle of operations.

A circuit is completed through line conductor 92, the access door switch90, the On-Off switch 91, conductor 100, the pressure switch 89 made tothe "empty" contact 101, through conductor 102, and closed timer switch96 to the water valve 86. The other side of the water valve 86 isconnected to line conductor 93 through conductor 103. The water valve 86will operate until the pressure switch 89 operates from the "empty"contact 101 to the "full" contact 104. When the pressure switch 89 movesto the "full" contact 104 a circuit is completed to the timer motor 105through timer switch 99, and conductor 106 for energizing the timermotor 105. The other side of the timer motor 105 is connected to lineconductor 93 by conductor 109.

The drive motor 75 will be energized to initiate agitation of the fluidand the fabrics within the tub. The drive motor 75 circuit extends fromline conductor 92, through the access door switch 90, the On-Off switch91, the pressure switch 89 made to "full" contact 104, the timer switch99 and through conductor 106 to one side of the drive motor 75. Theother side of the motor 75 is connected through conductor 110 and thetimer motor interrupter switch 95 to line conductor 93. The apparatuswill proceed through the "Regular" cycle of operations comprisingwashing and rinsing functions under control of the timer or sequencecontrol mechanism 12.

As mentioned in the explanation of the circuit of FIG. 6, the automaticwashing machine 10 is either energized or deenergized depending on theaxial position of the timer shaft 43. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the relativepositions of the latch 26, the latch actuator 35, and the connectinglever 71 when the timer dial 41 is pulled out so that the internalOn-Off switch 91 is closed and the washing machine 10 is energized. Thelatch bolt 31 is normally biased into engagement with the depression orstrike 32 of the access door or lid 14.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the general relationship of these same componentswhen the timer dial 41 is pushed in to move the internal On-Off switch91 to the Off condition. As shown in FIG. 5, the connecting lever 71 hasbeen pivoted with respect to the mounting plate 46 so that it will notbe in interference with the latch actuator 35. With the connecting lever71 in this non-interferring position the operator can manually rotatethe second dial 42 clockwise to move the latch actuator 35 into the fullline position of FIG. 4. The cam surface 59 of the first arm 56 of thelatch actuator 35 contacts the flat surface 34 of the depending armportion 33 of the latch 26 and will overcome the extension spring 39 topivot the bolt portion 31 of the latch 26 out of engagement with thedepression or strike 32 of the access door 14 which will allow theaccess door 14 to be opened to load or unload the washing machine 10.

Moving the control of the washing machine 10 to the Off positionrequires only the action of pushing the timer dial 41 inward to open theinternal On-Off switch 91. A time delay between turning the machine 10Off and opening the access door 14 is obtained since the second dial 42must be manually rotated in a clockwise direction to engage the latchactuator 35 with the latch 26 for movement of the bolt portion 31 of thelatch 26 out of engagement with the depression or strike 32 of theaccess door 14. This time delay allows the spinning tub to increasespeed by coasting and reduces the change of the operator coming incontact with a rapidly rotating tub.

It is therefore seen that the instant invention provides a unique accessdoor lock system for an automatic washing machine 10 which willautomatically lock the access door 14 when the washing machine 10 isenergized but which can be readily manually disengaged when the washingmachine 10 is deenergized.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention and although specific terms are employedthese are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation. Changes in form and proportion of parts, as wellas the substitution of equivalents are contemplated, as circumstancesmay suggest or render expedient, without departing from the spirit orscope of this invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:
 1. An access door lock system for an apparatus includingcabinet means having an access door movable between an open position anda closed position, the combination comprising: strike means on one ofsaid access door and cabinet means; latch means on the other of saidaccess door and cabinet means and being normally engageable with saidstrike means for locking said access door in said closed position; latchactuating means including a portion movable from a door-locked firstposture to a door-unlocked second posture for effecting disengagement ofsaid latch means from said strike means to permit opening of said accessdoor; manually operable means for making and breaking an electricalcircuit including switch means operable between anapparatus-deenergizing first condition and an apparatus-energizingsecond condition; and connecting means mechanically interconnecting saidlatch actuating means with said circuit making and breaking means andoperable for blocking movement of said latch actuating means from saiddoor-locked first posture when said switch means is in saidapparatus-energizing second condition, whereby said access door may beopened only when said switch means is in said apparatus-deenergizingfirst condition and said latch actuating means has been moved to saiddoor-unlocked second posture.
 2. An access door lock system as definedin claim 1 wherein said latch means is biased toward said strike meansfor engagement therewith.
 3. An access door lock system as defined inclaim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a lever engageable withsaid latch actuating means when said latch actuating means is in saiddoor locked first posture and said switch means is in saidapparatus-energizing second posture to block movement of said latchactuating means and wherein said lever is operable to a non-blockingposition responsive to movement of said switch means to saidapparatus-deenergizing first condition for allowing said latch actuatingmeans to be moved from said door-locked first posture to saiddoor-unlocked second posture.
 4. An access door lock system as definedin claim 1 wherein said latch actuating means further includes biasingmeans for automatically returning said latch actuating means to saiddoor-locked first posture when said switch means is moved to saidapparatus-energizing second condition.
 5. An access door lock system foran apparatus including cabinet means having an access door movablebetween an open position and a closed position, the combinationcomprising: strike means on one of said access door and cabinet means;latch means on the other of said access door and cabinet means and beingnormally engageable with said strike means for locking said access doorin said closed position; latch actuating means including a portionmovable from a door-locked first posture to a door-unlocked secondposture for effecting disengagement of said latch means from said strikemeans to permit opening of said access door; means for making andbreaking an electrical conduit including switch means operable betweenan apparatus-deenergizing first condition and an apparatus-energizingsecond condition and further including operating means for manuallyoperating said switch means between said first and second conditions andfor initiating movement of said latch actuating means between said firstand second postures; and connecting means mechanically interconnectingsaid latch actuating means with said switch means and operable forblocking movement of said latch actuating means from said door-lockedfirst posture when said switch means is in said apparatus-energizingsecond condition, said connecting means being operable to a non-blockingposition whereby said access door may be opened only when said switchmeans is in said apparatus-deenergizing first condition and said latchactuating means has been moved to said door-unlocked second posture. 6.An access door lock system as defined in claim 5 wherein said latchactuating means includes first and second arms with said first arm beingmovable by said operating means from said door-locked first posture tosaid door-unlocked second posture for engaging with and disengaging saidlatch means from said strike means, said second arm being concurrentlymovable with said first arm and including a catch operable formaintaining said first arm in engagement with said latch means.
 7. Anaccess door lock system as defined in claim 5 which further includestimer means associated with said switch means having a manuallyrotatable and axially movable shaft wherein said switch means isoperable between said first and second conditions by axial movement ofsaid shaft.
 8. An access door lock system as defined in claim 7 whereinsaid connecting means extends between said shaft and said latchactuating means and is responsive to said axial movement of said shaftfor engaging with said actuating means.
 9. An access door lock systemfor a washing machine including cabinet means having an access doormovable between an open position and a closed position, the combinationcomprising: strike means on said access door; latch means on saidcabinet means normally biased toward said strike means for engagementtherewith and for locking said access door in said closed position;latch actuating means including a first arm movable from a door-lockedfirst posture to a door-unlocked second posture for effectingdisengagement of said latch means from said strike means to permitopening of said access door, said latch actuating means furtherincluding a second arm operable concurrently with said first arm andhaving a catch operable for maintaining said first arm in engagementwith said latch means; timer means including switch means manuallyoperable between an apparatus-deenergizing first condition and anapparatus-energizing second condition; and connecting means connectingsaid latch actuating means with said timer associated switch means andoperable for blocking movement of said latch actuating means from saiddoor-locked first posture when said switch means is in saidapparatus-energizing second condition, whereby said access door may beopened only when said switch means is in said apparatus-deenergizingfirst condition and said latch actuating means has been moved to saidlatch disengaged second posture.
 10. An access door lock system asdefined in claim 9 wherein said latch actuating means is biased towardsaid door-locked first posture and said connecting means is biased forblocking movement of said latch actuating means such that when saidswitch means is in said apparatus-energizing second condition said latchmeans will be automatically returned to engagement with said strikemeans.
 11. An access door lock system as defined in claim 9 whichfurther includes operating means for manually operating said switchmeans between said first and second conditions and for moving said latchactuating means between said first and second postures.
 12. An accessdoor lock system as defined in claim 11 wherein said connecting means isoperable to a non-blocking position responsive to movement by saidoperating means of said switch means to said apparatus-deenergizingfirst condition.